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New Movie Mentions! *UPDATES as of 10/15*

DeVon Franklin, Columbia Pictures VP, talks He-Man...

Can you give a sneak peek of the next film project that you’re working on right now?

I am working on a number of projects. One of them is we just closed the deal and the film rights to the New York Times bestseller Heaven Is for Real, so we’re going to be developing that script. Going to do a remake of Sparkle, a 1970s film; it’s a musical. We’re going to do that with our Jumping the Broom team. I’m also working on Will and Jaden’s [Smith] next movie called One Thousand A.E. We’re also working a remake of Annie that Willow [Smith] will star in. One of other things I’m really excited about is we’re doing a reboot of the 1980s franchise Masters of the Universe. The He-Man franchise. Very excited about that. Should have that script very soon. I’m praying that we can start figuring out how we’re going to make it.

It’s no secret that the competition for eyeballs is intense these days. Seriously, I don’t remember the last time I watched TV without somehow drifting to Facebook or Twitter, replying to an email, playing a new game, downloading an app, etc. And, with film prices shooting upwards of $12 here in New York, um, yeah. I’ll wait for Netflix.

But Columbia/Sony Pictures VP of production Devon Franklin says that the digital age has only made his industry go back to basics: to make great films.

“We have to make films for a lower price point without sacrificing quality,” said Franklin, who currently has Men in Black 3 and a live action version of He-Man in the works. “The biggest challenge that we face quite honestly is we still have to make great movies, and we can’t let the dialogue about what’s going on with Netflix and the digital media world affect making great films.”

DF: Right now, I probably have anywhere from 25 to 30 projects in development. One of them being, ‘Masters of the Universe.’ If you’re a He-Man fan from the 80s, then you’re going to love it. We have a great team of writers who are putting together an amazing story, and it’s a project that I’m very excited about because it will take advantage of all the new technology that is available today. It’s a world that lends itself to 3-D.

One of other things I’m really excited about is we’re doing a reboot of the 1980s franchise Masters of the Universe. The He-Man franchise. Very excited about that. Should have that script very soon. I’m praying that we can start figuring out how we’re going to make it.

is the first time that I feel we will have a new motu movie .it's a real project ,posible and concrete

If they do He-man right, you have a hit franchise with a fan base just waiting to explode. If it sucks, then we will gather our torches and pitchforks and burn Columbia to the ground.

First the studio then the country just to show we mean business.

I bolded the last part because it made me laugh a lot!

Anyway, good news. I agree with the first part though! If this movie is made right and is epic enough, people will fall in love with He-Man and it will be HUGE! I'm a little leary the script might suffer with them upping the 3D angle.

Off topic: Willow Smith in Annie? REALLY? That's awful. There are only a handful of parts for red-headed little girls, and Annie is THE part for them. Especially with all the terrible things that have been happening to red heads lately like the disgusting "Kick a Ginger Day." For shame Willow Smith and parents!

Take part in Illumina Day! Let people know who she is and help get her in MOTUC.

Right now, I probably have anywhere from 25 to 30 projects in development. One of them being, ‘Masters of the Universe.’ If you’re a He-Man fan from the 80s, then you’re going to love it. We have a great team of writers who are putting together an amazing story, and it’s a project that I’m very excited about because it will take advantage of all the new technology that is available today. It’s a world that lends itself to 3-D.

wow I had not read the last comment ,i like how excited he is about a motu movie (he is the VC)
I remember in an interview Litvak said motu is a high priority for columbia.

think of it, Columbia is a great studio but has not a lots of " super big projects" like other great studios, sound coherent that motu is an important project for them.

see that, thats my face until its announced they've started shooting. then i'll believe we're getting a movie

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so I guess we can say that's ONE of the four big announcements for SDCC out of the way. as much as some people loathe 3d (which they shouldnt as there is always the option to see it in a regular theatre) I LOVE that they said it's a world that lends itself to 3D because watching Avatar I immediately thought Eternia!!! and I love 3d. I just hate after the fact 3d.